Certifications are a type of credential awarded by certification bodies—typically nonprofit organizations, professional associations, industry and trade organizations, or businesses. Certifications are awarded based on individuals demonstrating, through an examination process, that they have acquired the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a specific occupation or job.
Depending on the certification body, these credentials may be called industry or professional certifications. Although training may be provided, certifications are not tied to completion of a program of study—as are certificates. The core difference is that a certificate validates that you completed a course or program, while a certification validates that you possess a certain level of competency or mastery, often demonstrated through an independent assessment. While some certification bodies might recommend or even offer their own training programs, the certification itself is a separate credential based on demonstrated competence rather than program completion.
Certifications are time-limited and may be renewed through a re-certification process. In addition, some certifications can be revoked for a violation of a code of ethics (if applicable) or proven incompetence after due process. Accreditation organizations verify that certification providers and their partners meet certain standards. Accreditation is voluntary.
Certifications typically take less time and money than a degree program and are more flexible than such programs. Many businesses offer industry-specific certifications—especially in manufacturing, trade, and information technology (IT). Examples include offerings at Amazon and Google. Because of this alignment with the workforce, those who hold certifications often gain easier access to career pathways.
There is growing interest in embedding or more closely aligning certifications with academic degree programs. While yet to be proven, earning a certification while pursuing a degree may help narrow the attainment gap for underrepresented students. Some programs also allow students to earn college credit for a certification earned before enrolling in college, thus giving students a head start toward graduation. Additionally, a student who stops out or leaves college without a degree—but with a certification—could improve his or her job prospects.
The strategy of embedding or aligning certifications and bachelor’s degrees to create certification-degree pathways offers numerous benefits for students, certification bodies, higher education institutions, and employers. Certification-degree pathways provide students with a broad-based education and industry-specific skills that hiring managers seek. Certification-degree pathways also benefit certification bodies, as these pathways can increase awareness and attainment of certifications and help show how certifications fit in various career and credential pathways.
Certifications are an important credential in the learn-and-work ecosystem. They are recognized by employers interested in what knowledge and skills have been demonstrated in the third-party credentialing process. Many employers require specific industry certifications for hiring and for continued employment.
Certifications – formalized processes that attest to an individual's established skills and knowledge – have a remarkably long and storied history, with their roots stretching back to the intricate systems of medieval European guilds. To become a recognized master in a craft like masonry, baking, or weaving, an apprentice would undergo years of rigorous training, culminating in the creation of a "masterpiece" that demonstrated their proficiency. This masterwork, often judged by existing masters, served as a tangible "certification" of their ability to uphold the guild's strict standards of quality and craftsmanship, and established clear pathways for skill development and professional advancement within a tightly regulated economic landscape.
The modern era has witnessed a significant re-emphasis on certification, particularly with the advent of the technology sector's rapid expansion. The swift pace of innovation in areas such as computing, networking, and software development necessitated a standardized method for validating specialized technical proficiencies. Unlike traditional academic degrees, which often provide broad theoretical frameworks, industry certifications emerged as a more agile and targeted means of demonstrating practical competence in specific IT domains. Consequently, credentials from entities like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, and AWS became highly valued. This re-emphasis underscores a fundamental shift toward skills-based validation and continuous professional development, reflecting the dynamic nature of contemporary professional requirements.
Counting U.S. postsecondary and secondary credentials | Credential Engine (2022)
Understanding Certifications | Workcred (2020)
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